A paved road to Col de la Platriere in the French Alps
France, europe
23.6 km
2,220 m
hard
Year-round
# Col de la Platrière
Sitting pretty at 2,220 meters (7,283 feet) in France's Hautes-Alpes department, Col de la Platrière is a serious Alpine adventure. You'll find it just 2.5 kilometers south of the legendary Col d'Izoard in the southeastern corner of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
The 23.6-kilometer (14.66-mile) route along D902 connects Arvieux to Cervières with relentless switchbacks and narrow stretches that'll keep you on your toes. This isn't a casual drive—expect gradients hitting 12% and some genuinely exposed sections with stomach-dropping drop-offs. But here's the thing: it's completely paved, and the whole road is a Tour de France favorite for good reason.
Once you reach the summit, there's a small parking area and the stunning Casse Deserte landscape. Definitely take those few extra minutes to hike up to the orientation boards for some seriously epic views across the Alps. Whether you're a cycling enthusiast chasing Tour de France history or just a road-tripping adrenaline junkie, this pass delivers the high-altitude Alpine experience you're after.
Where is it?
A paved road to Col de la Platriere in the French Alps is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.3739, 3.7007
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 23.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,220 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 45.3739, 3.7007
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhere is Ancient Thera?
🇬🇷 Greece
Okay, buckle up, adventure-seekers! If you're visiting Santorini and want a thrill, you HAVE to check out Ancient Thera. This antique city, dating back to the 9th century BC, is perched high on Mesa Vouno mountain, right between Perissa and Kamari beaches. Getting there is half the fun (or terror, depending on your driving skills!). The road is only 2.7 kilometers (1.67 miles) long, but it's packed with 22 hairpin turns – they call them the Kamari serpentines for a reason! Starting from Kamari, you'll climb 252 meters with some sections hitting a crazy 17% gradient. We're talking seriously steep cobblestone, narrow single lane in many places, and…gulp… zero guardrails. But, oh my, the views! As you wind your way up, you'll be treated to breathtaking vistas of the Aegean Sea. Just take it slow and steady; this isn't a race. And pro-tip: the road's closed from 5:30 pm to 7:30 am, and the site itself is closed to walkers on Mondays, so plan accordingly!
hardCol des Trabesses
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Col des Trabesses is calling your name! This stunner of a mountain pass sits way up high in the French Pyrenees, in the Ariège department, clocking in at a cool 6,286 feet above sea level. You'll find it along the D25, a paved road connecting Mijanès and Ax-les-Thermes. The road is pretty quiet, so you’ll feel like you have the mountains all to yourself! And let me tell you, as you climb higher, the views get even more breathtaking. Keep an eye out, too, because this road has been featured in the Tour de France! Expect some steep climbs near the top—we're talking gradients of up to 10% that will definitely get your engine revving. Oh, and a little bonus: there's a gravel road leading to the super scenic Lac de Plan d'Amont nearby if you fancy a detour!
moderateWhere is Kneiff?
🌍 Luxembourg
Kneiff is a hill at an elevation of (1,837ft) above sea level, located in the commune of Troisvierges, in the canton of Clervaux in Luxembourg. At this elevation, it is the The hill is located in the , on the Ösling plateau between the villages of Huldange and Wemperhaard, in the northern part of the country, near the shared with Belgium and Germany. Is Kneiff the Highest Point of Luxembourg? Located close to the town of Wilwerdange in the northern Ardennes region, it was not long ago that was definitively determined to be the country’s For a long time, the nearby hill of Buurgplaatz (sometimes spelled Burrigplatz), located just about 1 km away, was mistakenly considered the highest point in the country. This belief was due to the Buurgplaatz elevation being measured at approximately 559 meters (558.35 m, as you noted). There is a tower there, yet, with a sign next to it that still claims it to be the country's summit, preserving the The change in title came after a modern, precise digital survey in . Using GPS technology, Luxembourg cartographers confirmed that Kneiff is actually about than Buurgplaatz. Since , Kneiff has officially held the title, correcting the long-standing record. How to Get by Car to Kneiff? Tucked away in the Ardennes, the road to the summit is mostly paved. Only the final part is unpaved. Starting from the roundabout at Wemperhaard, the drive is (0.86 miles) long. Follow the towards Huldange for 1 km and take a turnoff to the left for 200m. National Highway 25, a curvy road along the Wiltz river Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeHow to get by car to Melidoni Beach in Greece?
🇬🇷 Greece
# Paralia Melidoni: A Hidden Greek Gem (For the Adventurous!) Craving an off-the-beaten-path beach experience? Paralia Melidoni on the island of Cythera is calling your name—pristine sandy shores, crystal-clear waters, and jaw-dropping cliff views await. Fair warning though: this isn't a leisurely coastal drive. If white-knuckle cliff-side roads aren't your thing, you might want to skip this one. Tucked into a dramatic rocky cove in southwestern Cythera, the beach sits near the island's main town (also called Kythira or Chora). Good news? There's a parking area right at the entrance and a beachside bar with umbrellas and loungers to chill out once you arrive. ## Ready for the Challenge? Starting from Kasimatianika, the journey to Melidoni clocks in at 5.1 km (3.16 miles) with a gut-punching 378 meters of elevation gain—we're talking a steep 7.41% average gradient. The road itself is no joke: it's a rough, teeth-rattling mix of concrete, gravel, and sand that demands your full attention. Narrow doesn't even begin to describe it—two cars passing each other? Forget about it. A 4WD vehicle is seriously your best bet here. But hey, the struggle is worth it. Along the way, you'll spot the charming old monastery of St. Kosmas, adding a touch of history to your wild ride down to paradise.